Israel bombed an air base southeast of Damascus just as Iranian forces were about to launch attack drones, laden with explosives, into Israel. At least five people were killed, according to one report, in the Israeli strike.

"If someone rises up to kill you, kill him first,'" Netanyahu said, citing the Talmud. The foiled attack, Netanyahu said, was intended "to kill Israelis on the Golan Heights with explosives-laden UAVs [unmanned aerial vehicles]."

But even as tiny Israel faces radical Islamic enemies in Gaza, Lebanon and Syria—all under the sway of Iran which declares its intent to "annihilate" Israel—some in Congress want to cut Israel's lifeline: U.S. defense aid.

I'm talking of course, about Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar. President Donald Trump calls them the new face of the Democrat party.

+ + Bitter enemies of Israel

These two bitter enemies of Israel use their prestige and power to target the world's one and only Jewish state—an island of democracy and freedom in a sea of dictators and human rights abusers.

But instead of blasting Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria or Iran Tlaib and Omar lash out at Israel for its "racist" policies. They decry its "occupation" of "Palestine"--inventing a non-existent state.

And they want to slash U.S. aid to Israel—cutting off Israel even while it's surrounded by blood-thirsty enemies intent on its destruction.

That's why, if you haven't done so already, I'm asking you to join me in an immediate petition to key House and Senate leaders.

Our crucial "Don't Cut U.S. Aid to Israel!" petition reaffirms our strong support for American aid to Israel. And it states unequivocally that we stand by Israel and fiercely oppose Omar and Tlaib's vicious demonization of the world's one and only Jewish state.

Time is short. I want to gather as many thousands of signatures as possible in the next few days and have this petition waiting for House and Senate leaders when they return from recess on September 3.

And if you've already signed, THANK YOU! Your generous support now will fuel this and other efforts to defend Israel against its vicious enemies here at home.

+ + Omar's outrage

After Israel denied Omar and Tlaib entry to Israel—knowing they would use their visit to bash Israel—Omar showed her fury at Israel's "scorn."

She placed "conditions" on American aid to Israel, which is crucial to Israel's ability to defend itself.

"We must be asking, as Israel's ally, (that) the Netanyahu government stop the expansion of settlements on Palestinian land and ensure full rights for Palestinians if we are to give them aid."

But it's not Israel that is violating Palestinian rights—it's Mahmoud Abbas and the Palestinian Authority (PA). If Omar is indeed concerned about "full rights for Palestinians," she should direct her venom at Abbas.

Human Rights Watch—no friend of Israel—charged this year that both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas "have established machineries of repression to crush dissent, including through the use of torture."

But Omar says nothing to criticize the PA. You probably won't be surprised to learn she wants to see U.S. aid go to the Palestinians.

And Omar and Tlaib aren't alone in wanting to slash U.S. support for Israel.

• Freshman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez says cutting aid to Israel is "certainly on the table."

• The co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus—a powerful block of about 100 House Democrats—is also open to cutting Israel's lifeline and betraying America's best friend.

+ + You and I need to make our voice heard in Washington!

Will you immediately sign out "Don't Cut U.S. Aid to Israel!" petition? It's crucial that House and Senate leaders know right away where you and I stand.

As you respond, would you prayerfully consider a gift today to Christians in Defense of Israel?

Your much-needed generosity and your prayers fuel this powerful outreach to bless and defend the Jewish state.

And we can't do it without you. Please consider a gift today.

As you sign and give, I want to send you a very special gift. See what it is when you sign the petition today!

Thank you for your heart for Israel and for partnering with CIDI now to make our voice heard!

Together for Israel,

Mat Staver
Chairman